Jasper County Democrat, Volume 10, Number 26, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 28 September 1907 — The SPORTING WORLD [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

The SPORTING WORLD

New Pugilistic Star. The latest pugilistic surprise was the defeat of Joe Thomas, the California welterweight champion, by Young Ketchell, who claims Butte, Mont, as his home. Ketchell was little heard of before he met Thomas the first time at Marysville, Cal., where they fought a twenty round draw on July 4 last In that bout Ketchell made such a great showing that another match was

Immediately arranged, which proved to be the undoing of Thomas, who was considered one of the best men of his weight in the country. Ketchell has been fighting only two years and a half, and. while he* has much to learn about the fine points of the game, he has a wallop and is full of courage and grit. He has met the best men In and around Montana. Such men as Jerry McCarthy, Warren Zubrick, Mose Lafontlse and “Big Jack” Sullivan have bowed to him. An Amphibious Automobile. An Ingenious Frenchman has invented and constructed an amphibious automobile. The machine goes just as well In the water as It does on land. The amphibious automobile Is the Invention of Jules Ravailller, an expert motor car builder In Paris. It has taken him nine years to complete his invention, not only to his own satisfaction, but to that of the French war department, which Is intensely interested in the new car. The Initial tests of the vehicle were recently held at Paris on the roads and in the Seine. On land the machine attained a speed of fifty-five miles an hour, and then, .without the slightest preparation or alteration, it ran Into the water and headed up the Seine at eighteen knots an hour. “M. Ravailller’s new car Is just as safe in the water as it is on land,” said an authority. “It has solved for many of us the problem of owning a yacht and an automobile at the same time,” he continued, "and it will surely take the place of the present type of motor car, which Is good for dry land only. With this new amphibious type of car we may safely cross any bay or river without relying on bridges or ferries. We may vary the monotony of long rides over country roads by spins up and down the lakes and rivers. “Apart from Its attractiveness as a pleasure vehicle, it will have an almost incalculable value as a war machine. The French government has already recognized that and Is prepar-1 Ing to experiment with several types of the amphibious motor car adapted to military needs.” As to an Oval Billiard Table. Will the shape of the present billiard table be altered as the outcome of the farcical results which have followed the Invention and perfection of the now famous “anchor” stroke? This is a question which is being seriously discussed. The present tablet It is contended, lends Itself to freak billiards and no sooner Is one stroke barred than some player Invents another which serves the same purpose, reducing the game to an automatic exhibition of skill on the part of the player who succeeds in getting Agoing” first A more drastic reform than a mere “tinkering” with the rules is evidently needed, and a suggestion has been made and has already found many supporters that the present two square table should be changed for an elliptical—oval—table. Many advantages are claimed for the idea. Here are some of them: (a) A more advanced field for the exposition of the possibilities of modern skill. (b) The introduction of more scientific play. (c) A fresh attraction to the spectator who has tired of the time worn strokes. (d) The Impossibility of such strokes as the "anchor” and “spot.” (e) Although the same length and width, the table can be placed in a much smaller space.

Notasulga a Great Filly. Notasulga Is believed to be one of the best fillies shown this year in the east. A leading trainer remarked to the writer a few days ago: “There is no getting away from the fact that Notasulga is the cleverest filly seen as yet She can carry any kind of weight and beat such a mare as Frizette.” Notasulga is owned by two young Louisiana horsemen who have never before raced on the eastern tracks. They are Jules Broulatour and Alfred Hamel.

Jake Thielman.

Pitcher Jake Thlelman proved a splendid investment for Cleveland, as his purchase from the Indianapolis club cost but SI,OOO, and bls record justified a much larger sum. Contrast it, for instance, with Berger, who cost the clnb over $5,000 andhas been of ■b use to data. >

YOUNG KETCHELL, NEW WELTERWEIGHT CHAMPION.